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Superlek Kiatmoo9 has raised questions over the future of his ONE Championship flyweight kickboxing title with a cryptic social media message as he faces a lengthy recovery from knee surgery.
“When the time comes, you have to let go. When the time is right, look for a new one,” the Thai star wrote in a Facebook post.
His message prompted speculation among Thai fans and media that he might be preparing to relinquish the title.
Superlek, 30, did not specify what he was referring to or explicitly announce that he was relinquishing the championship. ONE continued to identify him as champion in an interview with Panpayak Jitmuangnon published on Wednesday.
Fellow Thai star Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated ONE’s featherweight Muay Thai world title in July while recovering from a broken leg, with Nico Carrillo elevated from interim to undisputed champion.
The referee stops Superlek’s rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev after the Thai fighter suffers a knee injury at The Inner Circle 25
Superlek’s division, meanwhile, is awaiting clarity after injury derailed a long-awaited defence against Jonathan Di Bella, with contenders beginning to discuss alternative routes to the belt.
Superlek underwent surgery in August after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during his bantamweight Muay Thai rematch with Abdulla Dayakaev at The Inner Circle 25.
His right leg buckled without contact 39 seconds into the second round at Lumpinee Stadium on August 7, leaving him unable to continue and handing Dayakaev a TKO victory.
ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong subsequently warned that Superlek’s return to the ring remained some way off.
“He’s probably not going to be back for another six to 10 months, depending on his rehabilitation and everything else,” Chatri told the Bangkok Post in August.
Jonathan Di Bella heads to the ring for his title defence against Zhang Peimian at The Inner Circle 22 in Bangkok
The injury ruled Superlek out of an October 17 flyweight kickboxing title defence against reigning strawweight champion Di Bella at ONE Samurai 4 in Tokyo – a bout announced just one day before the Dayakaev rematch.
Di Bella had been preparing to move up a division in pursuit of a second championship after defending his own belt against Zhang Peimian in July.
Chatri said in August that ONE was seeking a replacement opponent to keep the Italian-Canadian on the Ariake Arena card, although he did not clarify whether another fight would involve a version of the flyweight title.
“But we’ve got to find a fight big enough for that,” he said. “Superlek against Di Bella was a big super-fight. Everyone would watch that one.”
Superlek has held the flyweight kickboxing belt since beating Daniel Puertas for the vacant championship in January 2023. He defended it against Danial Williams later that year and Takeru Segawa in January 2024.
The Takeru victory remains his most recent defence, with much of his subsequent activity taking place at bantamweight, where he also captured the Muay Thai title by knocking out Jonathan Haggerty in September 2024.
Taiki Naito celebrates after defeating Hyu in their flyweight kickboxing bout at ONE Samurai 1
The flyweight division has already had an interim champion this year. Takeru beat Rodtang Jitmuangnon to claim that belt at Samurai 1 in April, but immediately retired rather than moving towards a unification fight with Superlek.
Japan’s Taiki Naito is among those who have been pushing for an opportunity. He called for a kickboxing title shot against Superlek after handing previously unbeaten Hyu his first professional defeat at Samurai 1.
Following Superlek’s injury, Naito also publicly welcomed a fight with Di Bella for flyweight gold.
Naito has since teased his next ONE appearance, writing “Contract signed” and “See you soon” alongside a Thai flag on Instagram.
“I’ve signed the contract for my next fight. Bring on the risk. I’ll definitely win by knockout. Stay tuned for the announcement,” he added in Japanese.
He did not identify an opponent, event or date, or say whether a championship would be at stake.
Panpayak Jitmuangnon celebrates his kickboxing victory at ONE Friday Fights 155
ONE’s return to official rankings on Tuesday has not yet supplied a new kickboxing pecking order. The initial AI-powered release covered four Muay Thai divisions, with rankings for additional divisions and disciplines to follow, the Post understands.
Panpayak, meanwhile, has a more immediate chance to strengthen his case when he faces Lamnamoonlek Torfunfarm in Friday’s flyweight kickboxing main event at The Inner Circle 32 in Bangkok.
The 30-year-old has won all four of his kickboxing appearances in ONE, most recently outpointing Anuar Cisneros in July.
In Wednesday’s interview with the promotion, Panpayak said “an interim title bout might open up” because of Superlek’s injuries, and that consistent performances could put him near the front of the queue.
He believes beating Lamnamoonlek would bring him closer to that opportunity, although his comments do not amount to an announced title fight.
“If I pass a test like Lamnamoonlek, a world title shot isn’t far away,” he said.
